1st night in the coop .......

[Marymeow1]

So it is our girls 1st night staying outside in the coop. Two things we are wrestling with is do we leave the coop door open so they can go out to the run ??? Also do we put a night light in the coop so they can see the food and water ?? Thanks for any response !!

 

[DobieLover]

So it is our girls 1st night staying outside in the coop. Two things we are wrestling with is do we leave the coop door open so they can go out to the run ??? Also do we put a night light in the coop so they can see the food and water ?? Thanks for any response !!

I would leave the coop door closed and just go out at dawn to let them out.
They aren't going to eat or drink until it's light out. Let them start developing a normal circadian rhythm. I would not keep a light on in there.
Give us an update in the morning on their first night in the big girl coop!

 

[Shorty22366]

You should lock them in coop at night. How old are they? They don't need food and water at night after 6 weeks.

 

[Quailberries]

I'm very much not an expert (my chicks aren't even outside yet!), but I heard that some recommend that you keep the coop door closed to the run for the first couple of days just so your flock will learn that the coop is home. It lets you spend less time wrangling them all up in the future, haha.

As for the night light, I'm really not sure... sorry!

Wishing a good first night to you and your pullets!

 

[Marymeow1]

Thanks !! They are about 8 weeks old. So we will close the door and turn the light out.

 

[Marymeow1]

The girls !!

 

[DobieLover]

View attachment 1742097The girls !!

They'll be fine.
I allowed mine to huddle in the nest boxes when they were growing up in their coop but they went out to the coop at 5.5 weeks old.

 

[Quailberries]

Gorgeous birds!!

 

[Marymeow1]

Gorgeous birds!!

Thanks so much !!

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens do not eat in the night, and sometimes having feed available 24/7 will draw rodents to a free meal. Mice and rats can be very difficult to keep out of a coop/run.